Learning To Read Your Bible

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Noblemen

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2018
498
149
43
#1
Do you ever read your bible without preconceived notions.
Do you ever think that there may be something written in your bible you have never seen.
For example; haven't you read the same scripture a dozen times but the 13th time you read it you get a little different understanding. I think about John 3:16 and how many times I have read it through the years.
I have had probably 3-4 different ways of seeing that simple verse.
That is called a fold, a verse taking on many different folds or meaning's.
Now I think more in the terms of revelation, the HolySpirit revealing to you pieces at a time.
You dont feed an infant steak when they come out of the womb.
I think about Jesus when he said paraphrasing "I have many things to show you, but not right now."
I do understand that what we know is how we see the written word, and I do know that all we know is not all there is to know, that may be a let down for some of you more scholarly types :).
In God's business of dealing with humanity, there are thing's that go on in this world that we have no idea about.
The first cop out we conclude is; surely Satan's at work again.
We will blame anything and everything on the devil.
All one sided no balance, that is a perverted gospel.
In your bible you can read where Peter and Paul came to a conclusion that Peter would preach circumcision and Paul would preach uncircumcision.
What would you conclude, who is right, their both Apostles, they have both been called to the ministry.
My point is can you read your bible like it is written, do you have to seemingly spiritualize everything you don't understand.
Another example; in 1John chapter one says that when we sin "if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us.".
1John chapter three says "we have no sin."
Now this is the written word of God, I have been told just about every excuse why we sin and why we don't sin.
And again I ask you can you read your bible like it is written.
You don't need to make excuses for the written word of God.
It is completely capable of it self with out you making an excuse.
Those that say the word contradicts itself are wrong.
The world would like to think the bible is a book with many fallible's, but they are sadly mistaken.
I see there are some Christians that can't read their bible and come to the same conclusion, their wrong.
Some of the newer translations of the written word, you probably are better off not understanding, some really big twists and turns in these so called translations that are going to help you better understand your bible, they are wrong.
And shame on them for putting profit above the understanding of the saint's.
When you get off on an allegorical trek through the scriptures you are asking for trouble as far as your understanding goes.
Read it like it is written, it really is that simple.
I was blessed by the Greek and Hebrew for so many years but in time I realized it was doing me more harm than good, in my understanding.
I referr to it sparingly as I study now, if you are blessed by it, then stay with it untill you see it can just lead you in circles.
Trying to figure out the written word of God are you kidding me, son you will need revelation to grow up.
Let me say something about your understanding and our outlook on the theologian-scholar type; "where brilliance ends, revelation begins."
 

louis

Senior Member
Nov 1, 2017
1,102
86
48
#2
Do you ever read your bible without preconceived notions.
Do you ever think that there may be something written in your bible you have never seen.
For example; haven't you read the same scripture a dozen times but the 13th time you read it you get a little different understanding. I think about John 3:16 and how many times I have read it through the years.
I have had probably 3-4 different ways of seeing that simple verse.
That is called a fold, a verse taking on many different folds or meaning's.
Now I think more in the terms of revelation, the HolySpirit revealing to you pieces at a time.
You dont feed an infant steak when they come out of the womb.
I think about Jesus when he said paraphrasing "I have many things to show you, but not right now."
I do understand that what we know is how we see the written word, and I do know that all we know is not all there is to know, that may be a let down for some of you more scholarly types :).
In God's business of dealing with humanity, there are thing's that go on in this world that we have no idea about.
The first cop out we conclude is; surely Satan's at work again.
We will blame anything and everything on the devil.
All one sided no balance, that is a perverted gospel.
In your bible you can read where Peter and Paul came to a conclusion that Peter would preach circumcision and Paul would preach uncircumcision.
What would you conclude, who is right, their both Apostles, they have both been called to the ministry.
My point is can you read your bible like it is written, do you have to seemingly spiritualize everything you don't understand.
Another example; in 1John chapter one says that when we sin "if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us.".
1John chapter three says "we have no sin."
Now this is the written word of God, I have been told just about every excuse why we sin and why we don't sin.
And again I ask you can you read your bible like it is written.
You don't need to make excuses for the written word of God.
It is completely capable of it self with out you making an excuse.
Those that say the word contradicts itself are wrong.
The world would like to think the bible is a book with many fallible's, but they are sadly mistaken.
I see there are some Christians that can't read their bible and come to the same conclusion, their wrong.
Some of the newer translations of the written word, you probably are better off not understanding, some really big twists and turns in these so called translations that are going to help you better understand your bible, they are wrong.
And shame on them for putting profit above the understanding of the saint's.
When you get off on an allegorical trek through the scriptures you are asking for trouble as far as your understanding goes.
Read it like it is written, it really is that simple.
I was blessed by the Greek and Hebrew for so many years but in time I realized it was doing me more harm than good, in my understanding.
I referr to it sparingly as I study now, if you are blessed by it, then stay with it untill you see it can just lead you in circles.
Trying to figure out the written word of God are you kidding me, son you will need revelation to grow up.
Let me say something about your understanding and our outlook on the theologian-scholar type; "where brilliance ends, revelation begins."
I know exactly what you mean.
The enlightenment I was provided when I first started reading the Word was milk in comparison to the greater enlightenment (meat) I now have about many scriptures.
I still, however, don't understand why so many appear to avoid a greater understanding of the Word, so that they can fall back on their basic understanding.
Maybe they just don't read the Word often, and so they are not provided a greater understanding?
 

Noblemen

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2018
498
149
43
#3
I know exactly what you mean.
The enlightenment I was provided when I first started reading the Word was milk in comparison to the greater enlightenment (meat) I now have about many scriptures.
I still, however, don't understand why so many appear to avoid a greater understanding of the Word, so that they can fall back on their basic understanding.
Maybe they just don't read the Word often, and so they are not provided a greater understanding?
It is true that many have not looked at the word to see what's in there. Then you have the avid student of the word.
When we discuss in here we agree sometimes but usually not on deeper things.
What I like about that situation is you can tell when a person is digging in the scriptures.
I may disagree with them on a point but at least some are digging.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#4
Noblemen, you make some good points... which would reach a wider audience if you included some white space (paragraph breaks) in your post. Long walls of text are ignored by many. Don't be the guy whose insightful posts earn the comment, "TL;DR". :)
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
#5
Do you ever read your bible without preconceived notions.
Do you ever think that there may be something written in your bible you have never seen.
For example; haven't you read the same scripture a dozen times but the 13th time you read it you get a little different understanding. I think about John 3:16 and how many times I have read it through the years.
I have had probably 3-4 different ways of seeing that simple verse.
That is called a fold, a verse taking on many different folds or meaning's.
Now I think more in the terms of revelation, the HolySpirit revealing to you pieces at a time.
You dont feed an infant steak when they come out of the womb.
I think about Jesus when he said paraphrasing "I have many things to show you, but not right now."
I do understand that what we know is how we see the written word, and I do know that all we know is not all there is to know, that may be a let down for some of you more scholarly types :).
In God's business of dealing with humanity, there are thing's that go on in this world that we have no idea about.
The first cop out we conclude is; surely Satan's at work again.
We will blame anything and everything on the devil.
All one sided no balance, that is a perverted gospel.
In your bible you can read where Peter and Paul came to a conclusion that Peter would preach circumcision and Paul would preach uncircumcision.
What would you conclude, who is right, their both Apostles, they have both been called to the ministry.
My point is can you read your bible like it is written, do you have to seemingly spiritualize everything you don't understand.
Another example; in 1John chapter one says that when we sin "if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us.".
1John chapter three says "we have no sin."
Now this is the written word of God, I have been told just about every excuse why we sin and why we don't sin.
And again I ask you can you read your bible like it is written.
You don't need to make excuses for the written word of God.
It is completely capable of it self with out you making an excuse.
Those that say the word contradicts itself are wrong.
The world would like to think the bible is a book with many fallible's, but they are sadly mistaken.
I see there are some Christians that can't read their bible and come to the same conclusion, their wrong.
Some of the newer translations of the written word, you probably are better off not understanding, some really big twists and turns in these so called translations that are going to help you better understand your bible, they are wrong.
And shame on them for putting profit above the understanding of the saint's.
When you get off on an allegorical trek through the scriptures you are asking for trouble as far as your understanding goes.
Read it like it is written, it really is that simple.
I was blessed by the Greek and Hebrew for so many years but in time I realized it was doing me more harm than good, in my understanding.
I referr to it sparingly as I study now, if you are blessed by it, then stay with it untill you see it can just lead you in circles.
Trying to figure out the written word of God are you kidding me, son you will need revelation to grow up.
Let me say something about your understanding and our outlook on the theologian-scholar type; "where brilliance ends, revelation begins."
Hi Nobleman, and nice to meet you. Do I ever read my bible without preconceived notions, truthfully my answer is no. But I need to qualify my answer with, "should I read my bible without preconceived notions", my answer is yes. Why because the bible is a spiritual book about life and salvation and as a Christian I want to understand what my bible saying.

If I can "set aside" my "preconceived notions", and let the bible speak to me as in John3:16, "For God so loved the world", then I can better understand how to apply these words to my everyday life. If I crowd out my mind with to much of my preconceived notions of what I think the bible is saying then there is no room to let the bible speak for itself.

For example as I read John 3:16, this verse of the bible tells me that by believing in God's Son, "I shall not perish but have eternal life." I'm just a regular Christian guy but after reading this verse in my bible for many years I can still understand God's love for the human race.

I hope I'm understanding your question correctly, God bless!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
 

louis

Senior Member
Nov 1, 2017
1,102
86
48
#6
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Here's the milk version of "to believe in Christ", where someone thinks believing in Christ means simply accepting that Jesus is Gods son and that He died for them.

Here's the meat version of "to believe in Christ", where someone recognizes believing in Christ means believing on the teachings of Christ, and thereby enlightened in their heart, live accordingly.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
#7
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Here's the milk version of "to believe in Christ", where someone thinks believing in Christ means simply accepting that Jesus is Gods son and that He died for them.

Here's the meat version of "to believe in Christ", where someone recognizes believing in Christ means believing on the teachings of Christ, and thereby enlightened in their heart, live accordingly.
Hi louis, nice meet you and you are right Christians need to abide in our Savior and "live accordingly.", there is only one correct interpretation of God's word but many applications.

Isaiah28:9
“To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?
 

Noblemen

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2018
498
149
43
#8
Noblemen, you make some good points... which would reach a wider audience if you included some white space (paragraph breaks) in your post. Long walls of text are ignored by many. Don't be the guy whose insightful posts earn the comment, "TL;DR". :)
Thanks for the advice, I don't know that I want to reach a wider audience :) kidding of coarse.
I used to space more but stopped due to the lengthy threads.
Personally when i see a long long long thread I'm done before I start.
I'll take the advice and space, they look cleaner in my opinion.
 

louis

Senior Member
Nov 1, 2017
1,102
86
48
#9
Hi louis, nice meet you and you are right Christians need to abide in our Savior and "live accordingly.", there is only one correct interpretation of God's word but many applications.

Isaiah28:9
“To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?
Hello TruthTalk, nice to meet you as well.
In regards to John 3:16 I believe the milk and meat versions are both applicable; it's simply that the milk understanding does not fully describe what believing in and on Christ means.
In the meat version where someone believes on Christ's beliefs in love, truth, justice, mercy; individuals then live accordingly not because they should, or have to, but do so because this greater enlightened belief is in their hearts.
This is the difference between doing something as works where it is not in your heart, and doing something in spirit where it is in your heart.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#10
Indeed the bible is a cognitive complex instrument capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge.
 

TruthTalk

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2017
2,904
2,262
113
#11
Indeed the bible is a cognitive complex instrument capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge.
Hi LPT, you are correct the bible is complex and it is spiritual, the natural man understands not the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.

1Corinthians2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
113
#12
Well you can always ask God if you dont understand something and He will reveal it to you. Sometimes its not instant...but you just have to ask Him.

Has anyone of us been to heaven already and know exactly what its like? I am sure we can imagine all sorts of things but its not the same as actually experiencing it. The only one who knew about it and directly experienced it was Jesus...before He even was born on this earth.

Reading scripture is like getting to know God and all He has done for his people. Its also a family story about Jesus ancestors, theres so many people in the Bible who encountered God, both good and bad with faults and imperfections just like us and their names are recorded in the book of life.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,173
2,536
113
#13
Do you ever read your bible without preconceived notions.
Do you ever think that there may be something written in your bible you have never seen.
For example; haven't you read the same scripture a dozen times but the 13th time you read it you get a little different understanding. I think about John 3:16 and how many times I have read it through the years.
I have had probably 3-4 different ways of seeing that simple verse.
That is called a fold, a verse taking on many different folds or meaning's.
Now I think more in the terms of revelation, the HolySpirit revealing to you pieces at a time.
You dont feed an infant steak when they come out of the womb.
I think about Jesus when he said paraphrasing "I have many things to show you, but not right now."
I do understand that what we know is how we see the written word, and I do know that all we know is not all there is to know, that may be a let down for some of you more scholarly types :).
In God's business of dealing with humanity, there are thing's that go on in this world that we have no idea about.
The first cop out we conclude is; surely Satan's at work again.
We will blame anything and everything on the devil.
All one sided no balance, that is a perverted gospel.
In your bible you can read where Peter and Paul came to a conclusion that Peter would preach circumcision and Paul would preach uncircumcision.
What would you conclude, who is right, their both Apostles, they have both been called to the ministry.
My point is can you read your bible like it is written, do you have to seemingly spiritualize everything you don't understand.
Another example; in 1John chapter one says that when we sin "if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us.".
1John chapter three says "we have no sin."
Now this is the written word of God, I have been told just about every excuse why we sin and why we don't sin.
And again I ask you can you read your bible like it is written.
You don't need to make excuses for the written word of God.
It is completely capable of it self with out you making an excuse.
Those that say the word contradicts itself are wrong.
The world would like to think the bible is a book with many fallible's, but they are sadly mistaken.
I see there are some Christians that can't read their bible and come to the same conclusion, their wrong.
Some of the newer translations of the written word, you probably are better off not understanding, some really big twists and turns in these so called translations that are going to help you better understand your bible, they are wrong.
And shame on them for putting profit above the understanding of the saint's.
When you get off on an allegorical trek through the scriptures you are asking for trouble as far as your understanding goes.
Read it like it is written, it really is that simple.
I was blessed by the Greek and Hebrew for so many years but in time I realized it was doing me more harm than good, in my understanding.
I referr to it sparingly as I study now, if you are blessed by it, then stay with it untill you see it can just lead you in circles.
Trying to figure out the written word of God are you kidding me, son you will need revelation to grow up.
Let me say something about your understanding and our outlook on the theologian-scholar type; "where brilliance ends, revelation begins."
Bravo!!! Well said indeed my friend Your insight and understanding is very deep father has clearly taught you well:D
 
Oct 12, 2012
1,563
929
113
68
#14
Do you ever read your bible without preconceived notions.
Do you ever think that there may be something written in your bible you have never seen.
For example; haven't you read the same scripture a dozen times but the 13th time you read it you get a little different understanding. I think about John 3:16 and how many times I have read it through the years.
I have had probably 3-4 different ways of seeing that simple verse.
That is called a fold, a verse taking on many different folds or meaning's.
Now I think more in the terms of revelation, the HolySpirit revealing to you pieces at a time.
You dont feed an infant steak when they come out of the womb.
I think about Jesus when he said paraphrasing "I have many things to show you, but not right now."
I do understand that what we know is how we see the written word, and I do know that all we know is not all there is to know, that may be a let down for some of you more scholarly types :).
In God's business of dealing with humanity, there are thing's that go on in this world that we have no idea about.
The first cop out we conclude is; surely Satan's at work again.
We will blame anything and everything on the devil.
All one sided no balance, that is a perverted gospel.
In your bible you can read where Peter and Paul came to a conclusion that Peter would preach circumcision and Paul would preach uncircumcision.
What would you conclude, who is right, their both Apostles, they have both been called to the ministry.
My point is can you read your bible like it is written, do you have to seemingly spiritualize everything you don't understand.
Another example; in 1John chapter one says that when we sin "if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us.".
1John chapter three says "we have no sin."
Now this is the written word of God, I have been told just about every excuse why we sin and why we don't sin.
And again I ask you can you read your bible like it is written.
You don't need to make excuses for the written word of God.
It is completely capable of it self with out you making an excuse.
Those that say the word contradicts itself are wrong.
The world would like to think the bible is a book with many fallible's, but they are sadly mistaken.
I see there are some Christians that can't read their bible and come to the same conclusion, their wrong.
Some of the newer translations of the written word, you probably are better off not understanding, some really big twists and turns in these so called translations that are going to help you better understand your bible, they are wrong.
And shame on them for putting profit above the understanding of the saint's.
When you get off on an allegorical trek through the scriptures you are asking for trouble as far as your understanding goes.
Read it like it is written, it really is that simple.
I was blessed by the Greek and Hebrew for so many years but in time I realized it was doing me more harm than good, in my understanding.
I referr to it sparingly as I study now, if you are blessed by it, then stay with it untill you see it can just lead you in circles.
Trying to figure out the written word of God are you kidding me, son you will need revelation to grow up.
Let me say something about your understanding and our outlook on the theologian-scholar type; "where brilliance ends, revelation begins."
Well said my brother, good form!!😋
 
L

LPT

Guest
#15
Hi LPT, you are correct the bible is complex and it is spiritual, the natural man understands not the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.

1Corinthians2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Indeed the natural man doesn’t believe, like atheist, Muslim etc...
 

Noblemen

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2018
498
149
43
#16
Bravo!!! Well said indeed my friend Your insight and understanding is very deep father has clearly taught you well:D
Hello ol' pal what you been up to
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,173
2,536
113
#17
Hello ol' pal what you been up to
Not much i have been under the weather lately so been enjoying chicken noodle soup and netflix, it's amazing how good chicken noodle soup is when your sick XD
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
764
113
39
Australia
#18
Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:44‭-‬45

This is what still happens today and what I need to remind myself to rely upon.
Not that we don't look into things, but it really comes down to Jesus opening our minds to understand.
When you don't understand something it literally feels like it's closed to you and when revelation comes it's like an opening.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
113
#19
There are certain facts to apply to any reading of scripture, and without keeping them in mind the scripture is distorted.

First is an understanding of the God who gave the scripture in the first place. This is true of any book we read, it is wise to know about the author and the period in history he was writing in. You would not read Genesis that used people who often lived in caves to explain God to us the same way you would read of Paul's writing using people 4,000 years later to explain.

Next you need to understand the Hebrew way of thinking, for this entire book is Hebrew. If it isn't translated from the Hebrew language, it was still the men who translated God's thoughts were Hebrew men. The Hebrew approach to life as well as that language is very different from the Greek way even though that language was used many times to express scripture.

There is now a translation of the Greek writing NT into Hebrew, then translating the Hebrew back to English. This changes the way some scripture is understood. As an example, the word translated from Greek in Revelation as lampstands was menorah in Hebrew. A lampstand has no symbolic meaning, but the menorah has extensive symbolic meaning in Hebrew. An understanding of this opens up an understanding of the messages given in the book of Revelation.

Next there needs to be an understanding that this book is a book about the spirit. It uses different ways to explain the spirit. The spirit is not a natural way of humanity, but an understanding of the spirit is supernaturally given to man through faith.

Next there needs to be an understanding that most of scripture is accurate history, but always the history shows how God works in our world. There are parts of scripture that are parables, using a what if situation to show a spiritual truth. There is also much symbolism in scripture. As an example, the entire story of the exit of the slaves from Egypt is full of symbolism that it is necessary to understand what that scripture portion is telling us.

The rituals given by God were all symbolic of spiritual truths.
 

Noblemen

Senior Member
Jan 14, 2018
498
149
43
#20
Not much i have been under the weather lately so been enjoying chicken noodle soup and netflix, it's amazing how good chicken noodle soup is when your sick XD
Yea thats no joke I've been sick for three weeks, something in tge water in our area I guess :)